Chapter: The Night She Lost Everything
She would never forget this night.
Her wedding anniversary.
The night she lost everything.
The music was loud, the champagne sparkling, laughter echoing through the luxurious hall lit with golden chandeliers. Guests danced, cameras flashed, and high society elites captured the event.
But Allysa stood still, smiling politely while burning cold inside.
"Hey, Allysa!" someone called out from behind.
She turned. It was Jane—her childhood best friend.
Jane was dressed in a silky black gown, specially made for the occasion.
"You look good, all smiley," Jane said teasingly. "But I know that smile. What's wrong, Allysa?"
Allysa gave a weak smile. "Nothing."
Jane's expression turned serious. "Is it Bruce?" she asked, scanning the crowd.
Allysa looked away.
That was the problem. It was Bruce.
She hadn't seen him all evening—not even a Happy Anniversary text.
"He said he was caught up in something," Allysa muttered, forcing a smile. "Business."
Jane frowned. "On your anniversary?"
Allysa's gaze dropped to the gold bracelet on her wrist—her only gift from him tonight. Not that she cared about jewelry, but what she gave him was worth far more.
51% of her 100% shares in the company.
The company her parents built. The one she spent years keeping alive after their death.
"Are you sure about this?" her lawyer had asked her weeks ago, when she signed the transfer of shares.
She had nodded. "I trust him."
But the truth was more complicated.
Bruce had been subtly undermining her for months. Emotionally manipulating her
He criticized her ideas during board meetings—which she had allowed him to attend out of respect, as her husband.
He mocked her decisions at home. He compared her to "real" business leaders when she failed to meet his expectations.
"You'll be much happier as a housewife," he once said while sipping wine. "Running a company is not really your thing."
Eventually, she believed him. Believed she wasn't good enough. That maybe love meant sacrifice. And maybe—just maybe—if she gave him what he wanted, he'd stop looking at her like she was a disappointment.
So she signed it all away.
Her heart twisted as she scanned the crowd again.
Still no Bruce.
"I'll go check him upstairs," she muttered, then turned to leave.
"Should I come with you?" Jane asked, sounding worried.
"No. Don't worry, I'll go alone."
She moved quietly through the mansion, up the stairs, her heart pounding harder with every step.
She reached his private suite and pushed the door open.
She froze. Her breath caught in her throat.
Silk shirt. Panties. A bra on the doorknob.
Then came the sounds—wet, rhythmic, sensual.
A woman's moan—high, sharp, and sickeningly familiar.
Her eyes slowly moved from the rumpled bedcovers up to the two figures frolicking on the bed.
No attempt to even cover themselves.
'I hope this is not what I'm thinking,' she thought.
Goosebumps ran through her body. She was afraid of her worst fear coming true.
Then she saw him.
Bruce. Her husband.
Her lawfully wedded husband.
Naked.
With her assistant—her personal assistant.
She was beneath him, moaning.
'No decency, no shame,' Allysa thought. By this time, tears streamed before she could even breathe.
Bruce was buried deep inside her assistant, moving with a rhythm that was supposed to be for her—and only her. Or so she thought.
The sound of the moan was like a knife through her chest.
Allysa's body went cold. Her knees buckled.
She didn't scream. She stood frozen, wide-eyed, her chest rising in jagged breaths.
The room spun. Her head thumped loudly. She didn't blink.
Just then, Bruce turned—surprised to see the door open. Then his eyes shifted and saw her.
A cold, chilling smile crept onto his face.
"Allysa," he said.
The woman beneath him turned and gasped.
Bruce didn't flinch.
"You."
"What?" Bruce said, finally getting off the bed. "This? Come on, let's not pretend you're surprised. Deep down, you've always known you weren't good enough for me."
The assistant giggled. "Yeah, that's right."
The words tore through her heart faster than any bullet, more painful than any poison.
"I gave you everything."
"Wrong. You gave me what I deserved. I would've acquired your company either way—legally or from the shadows."
He smirked. "You inherited a company you couldn't handle. I gave it purpose."
"You said you loved me."
"Love?" he laughed. "You really thought I married you for love?"
The pain stabbed deeper than anything before.
"You were useful. Nothing more."
He looked at her, a sardonic glint in his eyes.
"You never did mean anything." His voice was soft. His tone, razor-sharp.
She stumbled back, vision blurry, head pounding, the world tilting and dizzying.
Bruce turned back, chuckling, and refocused on the woman beneath him.
Allysa turned to leave. She couldn't bear the sight.
She didn't remember which way she came. Her mind was disoriented. She let her feet and instinct guide her.
She walked down the stairs toward the party area. She went to a table, snatched a bottle of brandy and a glass, and left.
Before long, someone headed toward her. As she was about to down another cup of brandy, a hand slapped the glass from her grip.
It fell and shattered on the ground.
Allysa stared at it, a strange look in her eyes. A tear dropped to the floor.
'Broken. Just like my heart,' she thought.
"It was Bruce, wasn't it?" a familiar voice asked. It was Jane.
Allysa looked up.
She nodded. Another tear fell.
"What did he do?"
"He was with Nacy. On our bed. Having sex. He was... going down on her... like I never mattered."
"Wait—Nacy? Your assistant?"
"Not only that… he said I was never worth it… that he never loved me." Her voice was a whisper, barely audible above the loud music.
She sniffled.
"That he only married me for... my inheritance," she said, her voice rough from crying.
"That bastard. I'll give him a piece of my mind," Jane said, turning to go.
"There's no point. Since I mean nothing to him... and he doesn't need me... I don't think the world needs me either."
Allysa wiped her tears with the back of her hand and ran upstairs, heading for the rooftop.
Jane stood frozen, trying to process her words. Then realization struck.
She screamed and ran after Allysa.
---
Allysa stood at the rooftop of the four-storey building, staring down at the road. Cars looked like tiny dots from up there. She knew she would die if she jumped.
She stepped forward—just as she heard Jane's voice.
"Allysa, stop! Why kill yourself over someone who doesn't deserve you?" Jane yelled, coming closer.
Allysa chuckled, then shivered. The wind was heavy and cold.
"I'm sorry, Jane. I can't do this anymore."
"You can! Don't let him win!"
Allysa looked back one last time.
"If I had another chance... I swear I'd burn his world down."
She stepped forward.
Jane lunged, catching her hand just in time.
But the weight was too much.
They both fell.